A Terrace sawmill has started producing lumber for the first time since 2007.

Skeena Sawmills, which was purchased by the B.C. company Roc Holdings Ltd. in July 2011 and has spent about $6 million in B.C. to date including upgrades and operations, is currently testing equipment in preparation for full-capacity operations which will ramp up in the coming years.

The test stage is just one of many steps that have taken place since the mill and logging rights were purchased from West Fraser last year. And while much more is needed before the mill is running at full tilt, officials there say they’re optimistic that’s exactly what will happen. The company plans to spend up to $15 million more to get the mill running for the long haul.

“We are doing test lumber right now to verify our operational capability,” said Skeena Sawmills’ plant manager Don MacDonald, adding this stage will determine how much of a given grade of log can be turned into finished lumber products.

Plans are to sell the highest-grade log in the raw export market, with mid-grade logs going to the sawmill to be turned into lumber products.